Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

Merger venue finalised

By S. Annamalai

MADURAI AUG. 9. The suspense over the choice of venue for the merger of the TMC with the Congress has ended. The merger will be solemnised on a private land along the Ring Road here.

Ever since the merger plan was announced, it had been taken for granted that the function would be held at the spacious Race Course Ground. Also, the TMC functionaries had a sentimental attachment to the venue. It was here, prior to the 1996 general elections, that the then Prime Minister, P. V. Narasimha Rao, addressed a huge rally that gave the Congress the confidence to steer clear of the two Dravidian parties. But Mr. Narasimha Rao belied the hopes of Congressmen by deciding to go along with the AIADMK, which necessitated the birth of the TMC.

When the Race Course Ground was the first choice for the TMC leaders, the Government told them that an order prohibited the conduct of non-sporting events at the venue.

The option then was limited. Hence the TMC decided to organise the merger function at the Tamukkam Ground, which also had a sentimental attachment. Rajiv Gandhi, during one of his visits to Tamil Nadu, addressed a public meeting here on November 8, 1989.

A local Lions Club that had booked the venue for an exhibition came forward to spare it for two days for the merger function.

As the ground was found to be inadequate to hold a big crowd and a risky one from the security point of view, the more spacious Madurai Medical College Ground was considered for the meeting.

According to TMC functionaries, a formal request was made to the Health Minister and the Director of Medical Education to provide the ground for the function.

But they were told that a decision could be taken only after taking the consent of the Chief Minister. However, no reply was forthcoming from the Government.

As time was running out, the TMC has decided to opt for a venue on the Ring Road, cleared by security agencies.

A formal `pooja' was performed on Thursday evening, and the area, a private land, has been cordoned off by policemen. Bulldozers have been pressed into service to level the ground. The TMC functionaries are happy that they have been able to identify a venue, which has been certified safe and can also hold a big crowd.

Its proximity to the airport is an added advantage, as the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, need not enter the city to address the function.

The venue has been christened `G. K. Moopanar Thidal' in memory of the late leader. Preparatory work is expected to gather momentum when the TMC president, G. K. Vasan, arrives here tomorrow.

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